Topics covered : Childhood cancer, grief, perspective, gratitude. In this episode I speak to Roseanna Ruane about her wonderful daughter Saoírse who sadly passed away in March this year.We spoke a few weeks ago and in this heart-breaking conversation she talks about Saoirse, the kind and wise girl that she was, from her first cancer diagnosis when she was only 7 years old and how devastating life has been since she passed away.She talks about how much she believes in being grateful for what we have in life, and the importance in making memories.Saoirse was only 12 years old when she left this world but she left her mark in the most beautiful way.Roseanna lives in Galway with her husband Ollie, their daughter Farrah Rose and their much loved dog Willow.If you have been affected by this episode, please go to Grief & loss helplines in Ireland (findahelpline.com) for a list of resources that might be beneficial.And if you want to contact Roseanna, you can find her on Instagram (@saoirseandmamma) or if you want her to speak at an event, you can email her theruane4@gmail.comRoseanna uses their page to spread awareness about childhood cancer, limb loss, fertility and grief and her wish is to continue to speak about their experience in the hope that it might give people perspective on what's important in life.I’ll be taking a quick break from the pod but I'll be back again with more conversations in September. In the meantime, you can dive back into over 180 episodes and if you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places, I'd really appreciate it.Thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.Enjoy the rest of the summer agus tabhair aire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Resistance, solidarity, grief, finding purpose, empathy and selective empathy, creativity, racism, colonisation, injustice, double standards, hypocrisy, soft power.   This week I speak to Oscar nominated and BAFTA Award winning Palestinian British filmmaker and human rights advocate, Farah Nabulsi.She lives in London with her husband and their 3 children and we spoke when she was recently in Galway for the Film Fleadh.Farah's work includes 'Today They Took My Son', endorsed by British Director Ken Loach and screened at the United Nations. 'The Present', her directorial debut, which she also co-wrote and produced, went on to win over 50 International Film Festival Jury and Audience Awards, a BAFTA® award, and it scored an Oscar® nomination. Her feature length film ‘The Teacher’ (which is outstanding by the way) won Best International Film at the Galway Film Fleadh and it will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from the 27th of September.We sat down to speak about shooting it exclusively in the West Bank, she also talks about how her life changed after a trip to Palestine as an adult, finding purpose in life, double standards, her Palestinian parents and so much more.For more information about this powerful film and cinema locations, go to...Home - The Teacher​And if you like this conversation, other episodes to listen to are...Ruth Smith : Love and JusticeDaniel Mate : Dismantling blindspotsDr Myriam François : Speaking truth to powerCaoimhe Butterly : Collective CareRóisín El Cherif : Palestinian pride​Sarah Durham Wilson : Rebel with a causeGalway Film Fleadh36th Galway Film Fleadh | 9 - 14 July 2024If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Interior design, discovering your own style, trends. In this bite-sized episode I chat to interior designer Tiffany Jones of Beach House Interiors.Tiffany lives in Clare with her husband Wayne and their 3.5 year old son Guy.If you’re following me on Instagram you might be aware that we recently moved into our forever home by the sea and Tiffany was, and still is, our interior designer and now friend.In this conversation she talks about the role of an interior designer, how to figure out your personal style, the importance of budgeting and her expert opinion on trends!To contact Tiffany...Interior Designer | Beach House Interior Design | Ireland (beach-house.ie)Beach House Interiors (@beachhouse.interiors) • Instagram photos and videosIf you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Women’s health – sex, miscarriage, perimenopause, incontinence, shedding shame; motherhood and Mum guilt, Gaza and social media censorship. This week I speak to business owner, podcaster and personality, Laura Dowling, known online as the Fabulous Pharmacist.Laura lives in Dublin, with her husband Frank, their 3 boys who are 16, 13 and 11 and their dog Carlo.She worked as a pharmacist for over 20 years and is the founder & CEO of fabÜ nutritional supplements.In this conversation she talks about women’s health and the importance of shedding shame when it comes to our bodies, motherhood, the ongoing genocide in Gaza and social media censorship.fabÜ nutritional supplements – fabuwellnessIf you liked this episode, others to check out are...Alana Kirk : Midlife coachJenny Keane : Sex EducationDr. Hazel Wallace : The Food MedicDeirdre O'Kane : It only gets betterSexologist Emily Power Smith : Sex Part 1 & 2Menopause Part 1 & 2Helena Tubridy :All things FertilityIf you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Alopecia Universalas, positive birth story, empowerment, inequality, activism, allyship, grief, miscarriage, still birth, episiotomy, PRIDE, colonisation.This week I speak to celebrant and director of Entheos Ireland, Karen Dempsey, also known as The Bald Priestess.Karen lives in Dublin, with her husband Liam, their son Beineán (18), daughter Róisín (5) and their dog Milo.In this conversation Karen talks about Alopecia Universalas; coming to terms with it and how she doesn't miss her hair at all anymore. She speaks about why she set up 'Entheos', an inclusive organisation founded to serve people outside traditional faith paths and her work as a celebrant, which she is so passionate about. She shares her extraordinary home birth experience with Róisín during the chat, her thoughts on taking part in ancient pilgrimage Lough Derg, and why activism and allyship are very important to her.To connect with Karen go to….Entheos | Community • Ceremony • ChangeThe article I mentioned during the chat…Sile Seoige - My Lough Derg Diary: darkness before dawn | Irish IndependentIf you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Fibre, relaxation, routine, sleep, gut-brain axis, impact of stress, IBS, microbiome, biotics.Registered dietitian Lorraine Cooney has just released her book ‘Why you can’t go and what you can do to find life changing relief from constipation’ and this conversation is all about that!She talks about the importance of fibre, relaxation and routine when it comes to a healthy digestive system.Why supporting our microbiome is crucial and the differences between pro, pre and post biotics.I learnt a lot listening to Lorraine and I feel that my own habits have improved since we spoke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Palestine, Sinéad O’Connor, patriarchy, patriarchal feminine, family dynamics, wellness industry, grief, activism, midlife, decolonisation, liberation for all.This week I speak to author and teacher, Sarah Durham Wilson, known on Instagram as Sarah of Magdalene.She lives in Maine with her young daughter Avalon, her cat Odin and dog Riley.She previously worked as an Arts and music writer with the likes of Rolling Stone, GQ and Vanity Fair.And in this conversation she talks about Palestine and the impact the devastation in Gaza has had on her, the patriarchy, patriarchal women, the wellness industry and the importance of decolonisation.This conversation helped me enormously and I think it could for you too.Books :‘Maiden to Mother’ by Sarah Durham Wilson‘The Great Cosmic Mother’ by Monica Sjöö and Barbara Mor‘God is a Black Woman’ by Christena ClevelandIf you like this conversation, other episodes to listen to…Ruth Smith : Love and JusticeDaniel Mate : Dismantling blindspotsDr Myriam François : Speaking truth to powerCaoimhe Butterly : Collective CareRóisín El Cherif : Palestinian prideAlana Kirk : Midlife coachHolly Cairns : Politics is PersonalIf you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Politics, Gaza, threat of the Far-right, people power.This week I speak to farmer, scientist, feminist and leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns.She lives in West Cork on her family farm with her partner Barry, her dog Hei Hei and her cat Blaze.And in this conversation she talks about growing up in a blended family, her bond with her mother, how she got into politics, her stance on the devastating situation in Gaza, the threat of the Far-right and the importance of unity, now, more than ever.I have wanted to sit down and chat to Holly for a very long time as she's someone I really admire so I am delighted that we made it happen.We met in 2019 for the first time and I liked her instantly.She was genuine, down to earth and great company and I for one, am so glad that she decided to venture into politics, as her voice is so badly needed in the Dáil.​Political quiz2024 Political Quiz (isidewith.com)checktheregister.ieIf you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Failure, faith, religion, awareness, meditation, death, compassion, love. This is a re-release of an episode I recorded with author, playwright, podcaster, poet and all-round wonderful human being, Michael Harding in December 2022.Michael is someone I had wanted to speak to for years so it was an absolute pleasure to speak with him.In this enlightening conversation we talk about his love of religion, the power of failure and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.His latest book ‘All the things left unsaid – confessions of love and regret’ is a stunning collection of letters he wrote for the people who deeply affected him over the years and it’s available now in all good bookshops.He's charmingly self-deprecating, reflective and his voice is one I could listen to forever. I hope you enjoy our conversation.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shelly Mooney is a historian and artist who lives in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their sonFerdia and Lola their dog and she runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.In this bite-sized episode she talks to us about the ancient Celtic festival of Bealtaine. She speaks of the importance of the Hill of Uisneach, the tradition of handfasting at this time, and the significance of the Hawthorn tree. The Hill of Uisneach - The Sacred Centre of Ireland.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Illness, grief, miscarriage, motherhood, divorce, diet culture, overcoming challenges, self-regulation, thriving.  This week I speak to author and midlife coach, Alana Kirk.Originally from Belfast, Alana lives in Dublin with her three teenage daughters, Daisy (18), Poppy (16) and Ruby (13), their 2 cats, Tiggy and Puka and their rescue dog Mojo.She works as a midlife coach and is in the process of writing her third book.And in this conversation she shares her own story with us which is really powerful. We also talk about how much our lives have changed in the 16 years since we first met, and throughout our conversation she shares nuggets of wisdom and practical tips to bring into our own lives.Alana is a gorgeous person, she’s compassionate and quick witted and I took so much from this chat.Her current book is ‘Midlife, redefined: Better, Bolder Brighter’, a self-guided exploration of you and your midlife, with exercises so the reader ends up with her own bespoke midlife (wo)manual.She can be found at www.themidlifecoach.org and on Instagram @midlifecoach and for Alana's next online workshop Revive & Thrive, which is focussing on overwhelm, click https://www.themidlifecoach.org/revive&thriveIf you like this pod, you might appreciate previous episodes like the one I recorded with visibility coach Kate O’Dwyer from October 2023, and the Menopause episodes with Catherine O’Keeffe from April 2021.If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : the factors that impact our sleep, the benefits of good sleep and how to improve it.This week I speak to clinical hypnotherapist and bestselling author, Fiona Brennan.She lives in Dublin with her husband and business partner Ciarán, teenage son Luca and their dog Rosie.And in this conversation she explores some of the elements in her latest book ‘Sleep well - 8 habits to help you fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed’,our individual chronotypes, the power of napping and what to do if we’re in a negative feedback loop when it comes to our sleep. For Fiona’s one day retreat on the 19th of May in Wicklow, click here…https://thepositivehabit.com/the-sleep-well-experience-one-day-retreat-wicklow/ And if you enjoyed this episode, please search previous sleep episodes with sleep coach Tom Coleman, from August 2020 along with a 7 minute sleep meditation I recorded also back in 2020. If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Palestinian heritage, injustice, speaking up, Zionism, artwashing.This week I speak to Irish Palestinian artist, Róisín El Cherif and it's a powerful conversation.She lives in Galway with her parents, her Mom is Irish and her father is from Gaza and she has lived in Ireland for 18 years now.She talks about growing up as an Irish-Palestinian and she shares her perspective on the past 6 months, in particular.This month Róisín will also be releasing a very special song with all the proceeds going to Palestinians causes, so keep an eye out for that.Book mention : Becoming Pro-Palestinian edited by Rosemary SayighThe song that Róisín sings at the end of the conversation :Zahret El Madaen (Flower of cities ) Fairouz - 1967‎لأجلك يا مدينة الصلاة أصلي‎لأجلك يا بهية المساكن يا زهرة المدائن‎يا قدس يا قدس يا مدينة الصلاة‎عيوننا إليك ترحل كل يوم‎تدور في أروقة المعابد‎تعانق الكنائس القديمة‎و تمسح الحزن عن المساجد‎يا ليلة الأسراء يا درب من مروا إلى السماء‎عيوننا إليك ترحل كل يوم و انني أصل​​'It is for you O city of the prayer that I prayIt is for you O splendid home, O flower of the citiesO Jerusalem​, O Jerusalem​, O Jerusalem​, O city of the prayerOur eyes are set out to you everydayThey walk through the porticos of the templesEmbrace of the old churchesAnd take the sadness away from the mosquesO night of Al asra O path of those who left for the skyOur eyes are set out to you everyday and I pray​'If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : The power of play in building connection with kids, touch, secure attachment, body acceptance, positive modelling, rupture and repair, breaking negative behaviours, resilience building.This week I speak to child and adolescent psychotherapist Debbie Cullinane.She lives in Mayo with her husband James and their two kids, Elsie and Freddie.  And in this conversation, she talks about the power of play in building connection with our children and why positive modelling and apologising is so important.It’s an episode full of practical advice. I loved it and I hope you will too!To connect with Debbie…Home - Debbie CullinaneDebbie Cullinane Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist MA (@debbiecullinane_) • Instagram photos and videosBook mention : Colleen Hoover ‘It ends with us’If you like this episode, check out previous conversations with Richard Hogan and Sarah Nicole Landry (The Birds Papaya).If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Perfectionism, people pleasing, the impact of the Covid pandemic, anxiety, loneliness, marriage breakdown, grief, guilt, therapy, change, freedom, same-sex relationship, rumours, finding joy, childfree by choice.This week I speak to Cat Lawlor, baker and owner of 'The Cake Cuppery' and it’s a gripping conversation.Originally from Dublin, Cat now lives in Wexford with her girlfriend Louise and their two cats. In this conversation we chat about listening to your gut instinct, overcoming challenges in life and ultimately finding joy.Cat speaks openly about the end of her marriage, obviously from her perspective, and out of respect for her ex-husband, he is not named during the conversation as we fully appreciate how difficult hearing a conversation like this, might be for him.To connect with Cat or Louise…Cat L. Walsh (@thecakecuppery) • Instagram photos and videosEmail infothecakecuppery@gmail.comLouise O Brien | Online Coach (@louise_badasscoaching) • Instagram photos and videos Book mention : ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’ by Susan JeffersIf you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Palestine, protests, social justice, community, paradigm shift, hope.This week, my guest is Caoimhe Butterly who is an educator, a human rights activist, filmmaker & trained therapist, who has worked as a volunteer ambulance worker in Gaza, alongside Palestinian paramedics, and has also spent years in the West Bank.She was born in Ireland to Irish parents who migrated to Canada when she was a baby, where she spent the first 10 years of her life and then she lived in Mauritius and Zimbabwe for 8 years.She has worked with refugee and displaced communities for over 25 years in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Mexico, Guatemala, Haiti, Ukraine, Greece, Calais and elsewhere & currently works in psychosocial and trauma support work, with humanitarian responders and refugee communities.In this conversation she shares her perspective on the now which includes the global shift in consciousness, the power and benefit of connecting to liked minded people, Palestinian joy and the importance of collective care.If you enjoyed this episode you might appreciate previous conversations with Ruth Smith, Daniel Maté and Dr. Myriam François.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Betrayal, heartbreak, breakdown, trust, prevention, repair, connection, healing. Originally from Douglas in Cork, psychotherapist Richard Hogan lives in Dublin with his wife and their 3 daughters.He writes a weekly column with the Irish Examiner and often appears on TV and radio and he specialises in working with families.He’s also written two brilliant books ‘Parenting the screenager’ and ‘Home is where the start is’ and during this conversation he talks about affairs.Why people have them, the heartbreaking impact of them on a relationship and if it’s possible to heal after betrayal.If you connected with Richard during this conversation, you can check out his previous episodes from last summer and the one he recorded earlier this year about anxiety, especially in kids and teenagers.Book mention : ‘The 5 love languages’ by Gary ChapmanIf you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Palestine, people power, social justice, privilege, culture, indigenous languages, Gaeilge, patriarchy, oppression, being Muslim, Brené Brown, whiteness, female empowerment.   This week, journalist, filmmaker, podcaster, presenter and writer, the remarkable Dr. Myriam François is my guest.Myriam is a Londoner whose mother is Irish (she's from Leitrim), and her father is French. Her award-winning, directorial debut documentary is ‘Finding Alaa’ and her podcast is ‘We need to talk about whiteness’. She’s been a Muslim since she was 21 and when she was younger she also starred in a number of films, including acting alongside Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet in the Oscar winning ‘Sense and Sensibility’ when she played the role of younger sister Margaret.In this conversation though, we talk about the recent Sky interview she did that went viral ('I'm so sorry your Amazon packages are delayed!'), the importance of indigenous languages, Palestine, Brené Brown’s recent statement on what’s happening there, and why she’s not really a fan of the word activist.She’s a woman of integrity and intelligence and it was an absolute honour to speak to her.Book mention : ‘Black faces, white masks’ by Frantz FanonAnd if you connected to this episode, other Ready to be Real podcast recommendations are :'Daniel Maté : Dismantling blindspots', 19th January 2024 and 'Ruth Smith : Love and Justice', 15th December 2023.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Fear, regret, fertility journey, acceptance, career change, anxiety, toxic positivity, triggers, comparisons, peak performance.Life coach Mark Fennell is back on the pod!Mark is married to Fiona and has spent over 20 years helping people through his coaching business.His online following has grown massively over the past few years too and on Instagram, he currently has 160K followers and is known for his video content.We last spoke over 2 years ago and his episodes are still hugely popular with listeners.In this conversation, he talks about his brand new book ‘Breakthrough - practical steps for moving from stuck to unstoppable’.Mark is speaking of his own experience in this episode and is certainly not advising not going to therapy.If you're struggling, reach out and speak to a professional.Mentions:Book ‘Man's search for meaning’ by Viktor FranklMen in Black movie reference : NeuralyzerNick VujicicHome - Nick VujicicTo contact Mark, go to…https://markfennell.ie/If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : TV presenting, change, leaving on her terms, her Mum Brenda, grief, parenting, family life, synchronicities and signs.This week I speak to TV presenter Karen Koster who lives in Dublin with her husband John, a retired businessman and their 3 kids, Finn who is 9, JJ who is 8 and their daughter Eve who is 5, along with their dogs Brownie and Nidge!She has a degree in English literature and French from Trinity and she has been working in TV for the past 20 years.In this conversation she talks about her decision to step away from her much loved presenting job with Virgin media’s The Six O Clock show late last year to spend more time with her family and explore new career options.And she also speaks about her Mum Brenda, who died suddenly 2 years ago this May and she shares how she is coming to terms with her passing.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.